( If there's one thing Mutsu is truly used to in a fight, it's aggression. His most common partners are the Shinsengumi swords and more than one had reason to not hold back against him. Knowing Dotanuki, he doesn't expect him to anything other than go all out right from the get go.
He could shift into defensive mode right now, try to get Dotanuki to wear himself out in the long run but what good is defense against a heavy hitter unless you have the stamina to slow them down? Mutsu doesn't have it-- at least, not against a strong sword like Dotanuki. He also knows he can't match Dotanuki in terms of aggressive strength alone so that only leaves speed; finish this quickly and smartly.
He can see Dotanuki's attack-- coming right for his front and Mutsu doesn't wear heavy armor at all. He raises his sword to catch Dotanuki's against his blade. He'll then try to apply as much pressure as he can, as if he's trying to get Dotanuki to step back and lose ground! Only at the last moment, he'll shift his stance and try to slide away, hopefully using any momentum of Dotanuki's against him so that he can deliver a straight attack, right at Dotanuki's side. )
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He could shift into defensive mode right now, try to get Dotanuki to wear himself out in the long run but what good is defense against a heavy hitter unless you have the stamina to slow them down? Mutsu doesn't have it-- at least, not against a strong sword like Dotanuki. He also knows he can't match Dotanuki in terms of aggressive strength alone so that only leaves speed; finish this quickly and smartly.
He can see Dotanuki's attack-- coming right for his front and Mutsu doesn't wear heavy armor at all. He raises his sword to catch Dotanuki's against his blade. He'll then try to apply as much pressure as he can, as if he's trying to get Dotanuki to step back and lose ground! Only at the last moment, he'll shift his stance and try to slide away, hopefully using any momentum of Dotanuki's against him so that he can deliver a straight attack, right at Dotanuki's side. )